It’s been awhile since I did a live review, mainly because I haven’t been to a show in awhile. Things have been quiet when it comes to big national touring acts, though there’s been plenty of local stuff going on. Such is the case this weekend — no big national shows come to mind, but a couple local gigs are worth checking out.

Tonight at The Waiting Room, The Filter Kings headline a show with Loyd McCarter, The Willards Band and 24-Hour Cardlock. Cowboy hats/seed caps are optional. $7, 9 p.m.

Saturday night, singer/songwriter Nick Carl and his band, The Meadowlarks, are headlining a show at The Barley St. Tavern with Harlot and Portland guy Nick Jaina. $5, 9 p.m. While just up the street, Ames/Des Moines band The Envy Corps is playing at The Waiting Room with Broken Spindles and 1/Fourth DJs. They’re calling it the “Carnival Dance Dement” — a dance party with masks and lights and stuff, which may be just enough to keep me from going. $8, 9 p.m.

If you’re in Lincoln, check out Damien Jurado Saturday night at The Bourbon Theater with Manny Coon, Ember Schrag and a few others. $10 today/$12 tomorrow. 9 p.m.

And Sunday night at Lincoln’s Clawfoot House, 1042 F St., Nick Jaina and Bear Country are playing with Ember Schrag and her new band.  Clawfoot is in the heart of its summer season. Schrag said that the house will end its show season in late July or early August and take a few months off. In addition to her new band, Schrag has her hands full with a new job booking shows at Lincoln’s Cultiva Cafe, a just-opened coffee house at 11th & G streets that will feature live free performances nightly from 8 to 10 p.m., with an open mic on Thursdays.

The hot show tonight is at all-ages club The Hole, 712 So. 16th St. (formerly the Diamond Bar). Cave rock sensations Box Elders are headlining a show with Perry H. Matthew and No Bueno. It starts early (as all their shows do) at 7 p.m., cover is $6. And there’s No Booze! Afterward, head up to The Brothers, because that Hole show is the only thing on the radar tonight. Hey, there’s always the goon-rock festival over at Westfair featuring Godsmack.

Tomorrow starts off early with Jake’s “Cuz We Can” block party, hosted (apparently) outside of Jake’s in Benson. There’s no actual details as to how this showcase is going to work. Are they blocking off the street? I guess we’ll have to find out tomorrow. The line-up of local acts is top-drawer: Satchel Grande, UUVVWWZ, Brad Hoshaw & The Seven Deadlies, Matt Cox Band, Gooses, Awkwords, Conchance and Dim Light. It’s a benefit, so your $6 will go toward the ongoing publication of the Found in Benson ‘zine. Show starts at 5 p.m. and runs to 11.

Also tomorrow starting early, and also in Benson, is the Liquid Courage 10 Year Anniversary Party at The Waiting Room, whose two chief proprietors, ironically, lack a single tattoo (as far as we know). The free show features The Mercurys, Cover Me Badd and headliners The Filter Kings. Show starts at 6 p.m. and according to the 1% website, “food and beverages will be provided while supplies last.” Better get there early.

Also tomorrow night, Ragged Company is slated to play at The Barley Street with Western Electric. $5, 9 p.m.

And Sunday Simon Joyner is playing a house show at 4507 So. 15th St., start time is 8 p.m.